Investigating faculty members' beliefs about distance education: The case of Sultan Qaboos University, Oman

This research paper aims to investigate the beliefs (perceptions) about distance education(DE) held by the faculty members of Sultan Qaboos Uuniversity (SQU) at the Sultanate of Oman as well as the differences between their beliefs (perceptions) with regards to gender, teaching experience, college academic rank, nationality, etc. This study used a questionnaire as a method of data collection. Findings of the study indicated statistically significant difference in terms of gender. Results show that female faculty members hold positive beliefs (perceptions) about the use of DE in learning and teaching whereas compared to their male colleagues. With regards to nationality, the study found statistically slight differences, wherein the Omani faculty members yielded higher scores on the positive statements and lower at the negative statements.